CPJ Field enhances its ‘Never Alone’ programme

UK’s oldest funeral directors CPJ Field has enhanced its ‘Never Alone’ programme to tackle loneliness in the community with a focus on connection, wellbeing and support.

The programme aims to help local communities across the Southeast by shining a light on the seriousness of loneliness across the country and its impact on people’s lives, health and wellbeing.

‘Never Alone’ started as an initiative to make introductions to community groups in towns that CPJ Field serves. With increasing need for greater social connection, the group is bolstering its ‘Never Alone’ programme, covering all aspects of mental health and wellbeing.

Developed to help anyone who is experiencing loneliness and isolation, ‘Never Alone’ is all about offering the “most appropriate” support to individuals or their family and friends.

By using a tried and tested community-building approach, CPJ Field will offer both online and in-person support using its local funeral homes as hubs for signposting and sharing information.

Well-loved local funeral homes which operate under the trading names of Cooper and Son, Ballard and Shortall, Haine and Son, Heritage and Son, and Shires, to name just a few, have many years of experience and expertise in offering guidance and emotional support to families and individuals, particularly when facing a bereavement.

The group’s ‘Never Alone’ programme will go further, and will be available to all, including to those who do not use our funeral services, as it has always been.

Wellbeing, health, hobbies, and importantly social interaction are the key areas around which the ‘Never Alone’ programme has been built.

Local groups are joining the programme as they partner and support CPJ in its mission to reduce loneliness and bolster social connection.

Beyond emotional support, ‘Never Alone’ also seeks to help by offering practical support, through a network of well-regarded contacts, all of whom are trusted and local, and ready to assist, when help is most needed.

In addition, the group’s own community events are growing in popularity across its key towns, as its colleagues open their doors to all those who join them and, in so doing, bring together like-minded people for conversation, a sharing of stories, and mutual support.

Key features of the ‘Never Alone’ programme include:

• Community Events: The group runs a number of our own community initiatives including coffee mornings, intergenerational meetups, community choir and ‘knit and natter’ groups which are held locally to create engaging and inclusive gatherings.
• Local Group Directory: ‘Never Alone’ provides information and resources on how to find the best local groups in your area from theatrical groups to social clubs; and from fitness classes to men’s or women’s groups.
• Social Prescribing: As part of ‘Never Alone’, CPJ Field takes an active role in the local communities that it serves and works alongside trained professionals, such as GPs, and other mental health experts who specialise in social prescribing.
• Wellbeing: ‘Never Alone’ promotes improved wellbeing and helps individuals find support for common mental health issues, as well as find support from those who understand and empathise with their situation.
• Practical Support: By providing a wealth of information and support on practical matters such as estate management, legal issues, and other administrative concerns, ‘Never Alone’ can provide introductions to the most appropriate services for you.

Jeremy Field, managing director, CPJ Field, said: “Loneliness is not a simple challenge to solve. Life changing events, such as a bereavement, create an immediate impact, but long-term loneliness can seriously impact our lives. We continue to want to drive momentum and be a place for those to seek help and support. We are, above all, compassionate and caring, learnt through years of operating in the community, and we want to foster a sense of belonging and for Never Alone to be a resource available for all.”

Emily Hendin, communications and marketing director at CPJ Field, added: “The levels of loneliness experienced across the UK are high. We are seeking to help tackle this by providing more accessible support and by expanding our Never Alone programme. We are witnessing wonderful successes as people benefit from these local networks, proving that we can provide meaningful connections and support for individuals experiencing feelings of isolation.”